Coasting-sled.



PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

W. E. KIDDER. GOASTING SLED.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

Ni Q Q J W No. 767,821. PATE'NTED AUG. 16, 1904. W. E. KIDDER.

.COASTING SLED.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 17, 1903.

N0 MODEL. Y 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WitQQSSQSZ Patented. August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. KIDDER, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

coAsTiNe-sLED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,821, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed March 17, 1903. fierial No. 148,184. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM E. KIDDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Coasting-Sleds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in coastingsleds.

It relates particularly to improvements in coasting sleds generally known as bobsleds.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved coasting-sled which is light, strong, and durable and economical to produce; second, to provide an improved coasting-sled having a simple and efficient brake device; third, to provide an improved coasting-sled having a brake mechanism which may be controlled by any or all passengers, or both.

Further objects and objects relating to details of construction will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved coasting-sled. Fig. 2 is aside elevation view of my improved coasting-sled. Fig. 3 is an inverted view of my improved coasting-sled. Fig. l is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 4: 4c of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear elevation View of my improved coasting-sled, portions being broken away to show the structural details. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of one of the foot-rests b and connections thereto for steering the sled.

In the drawings the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, the platform or seat A is of the usual form and of a length suflicient to seat several persons. The front and rear bobs A are of the usual or any desired construction. The usual bolster-supports or chairs Z are supported by the benches. The forward bob is secured to the platform or seat by a king-bolt e. The rear bob is secured to the platform A by a bolster member 9, to which the opposite member f is secured by a pivot-rod It. The bolster g is provided with upwardly-turned ears 0 at its ends, and the chair-piece f is provided with downwardly-turned ears f, which embrace upwardly-turned lugs of the bolster 9, so that lateral movement of the rear bob is entirely prevented.

Pivoted toward the front end of the bolster, rearwardly-extending beams Z, is a brake F, which is provided with engaging claws F. Carried by the rod /L is a rearwardly-projecting arm h, which is connected to the rearward end of'the brake F by a link 2'. The arm it is connected by a rod a to the brakelever B, which is pivotally supported on the under side of the platform A, toward the forward end thereof, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) in position to be operated by the foot of the steersman. hen the brake-lever B is operated, the brake is forced downwardly by the toggle connection into engagement with the snow or ice. hen the pressure is released, the brake is thrown upwardly by a coiled spring 1', which is connected to the patform A and to the brake. A pair of downwardly-projecting lugs f on the cross-piece project downwardly and engage the rod at each side of the arm 71/, so that springing thereof by the application of the brake is prevented.

Foot-rests a extend along the sides of the platform and are secured thereto by pivoted supports a, so that the foot-rests may be folded back alongside of or in under the platform, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. The foot-rests are connected to the brakerod by a pair of rods /1 which are secured to the forward supports a and to a link w on the brake-rod n. The link 7 is adapted to slide on the rod '11, and a stop r is provided therefor so that the brake may be applied by any or all of the passengers, if desired. A stop (6 is provided to limit the forward movement of the footrests. By this arrangement of the parts the brake may be applied by the steersman or in the case of an emergency by any or all of the passengers.

I provide the platform A with a wood truss E, which is secured to the under side of the platform toward its ends and passed over the stop cl at the center. This truss gives a sufficient spring to the platform, but is not liable to stretch or to break, as is liable to occur With iron trusses when full of frost.

Toward the forward end of the platform A I provide projecting foot-rests b for the steersman. outer ends, are hooks 7), adapted to receive the steering-rope 0, so that a greater leverage is secured. By using the hooks b the rope is readily detached for drawing the sled.

By this arrangement of the parts I secure a very strong and durable sled, although it is comparatively light. The toggle connection for the brake is very strong and capable of exerting great force, as the more pressure is required'the nearer the connection approaches the dead-center. The rear bob is freely pivoted and at the same time sidewise movement is entirely prevented, which of course greatly adds to the speed of the sled as well as to its durability, as a slight sidewise swing causes very great strain upon the runners when in use. The spring 7' yieldingly supports the forward end of the rear bob. The foot-rests are pivotally supported, so that should they strike an obstruction they will yield to pass the same, and when not in use may be folded back beneath the platform.

I have illustrated and described my improved sled in the form preferred by me on account of the simplicity of its parts and the economy of producing and assembling the same; I am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.

1. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; frontand rear bobs; abolstermember 9 having upwardly-projecting perforated ears 5/ rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member f having downwardly-projecting ears f adapted to embrace said ears g Secured to these foot-rests b, at their secured to said platform; a pivot-rod h; a brake F pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm/t on said pivotrod; a link 2' connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever B; a rod a connecting said brake-lever to said arm h, foot-rests a pivotally supported on said platform; a suitable stop therefor; a link on said rod a; a stop therefor; connections from said link to said foot-rest; and a spring 1' secured to said platform and to said brake, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member g having upwardly-projecting perforated ears r/ rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite memberf having downwardly-projecting ears f' adapted to embrace said ears g secured to said platform; a pivot-rod h; a brake F pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm 71' on said pivotrod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever B; a rod n connecting said brake-lever to said arm 7L; foot-rests a pivotally supported on said platform; a suitable stop therefor; a link on said rod a; a stop therefor; connections from said link to said foot-rest, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member g having upwardly-projecting perforated ears g rigidly secured to the rear bob; anopposite memberf having downwardly-projecting ears f adapted to embrace said ears g, secured to said platform; a pivot-rod ii,- a brake F pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm it on said pivotrod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever B; a rod a connecting said brake-lever to said arm it, foot-rests a pivotally supported on said platform; a link on said rod a; a stop therefor; and connections from said link to said foot-rest, all coacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member ,0 having upwardly-projecting perforated ears 9 rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite memberf having downwardly-projecting ears f adapted to embrace said ears g rigidly secured to said platform; a pivot-rod 7L, a brake F pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm h on said pi vot-rod; a link 7; connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever B; a rod a connecting said brake-lever to said arm it, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; bolster members g having upwardly-projecting ears g rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member f having downwardly-projecting ears f adapted to embrace said ears y rigidly secured to said platform; a pivot-rod 71'; a brake F pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm h on said pivotrod; a link a connecting said arm to said brake; foot-rests a pivotally supported on said platform; connections from said foot-rest to said arm; and a spring 7' secured to said platform and to said brake, for the purpose specified.

6. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; bolster members 9 having upwardly-projecting ears 0 rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite memberf' having downwardly-projecting ears f adapted to embrace said ears g rigidly secured to said platform; a pivot-rod it; a brake Fpivotally supported on said rear bob; arear- Wardly-projecting arm h on said said pivotrod; a link a connecting said arm to said brake; foot-rests a pivotally supported on said platform; and connections from said footrests to said arm, for the purpose specified.

7. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member having upWard'ly-projecting perforated ears secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having doWnWardly-projecting perforated ears secured to the platform; a pivotrod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearWardly-projeating arm on said pivotrod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever; a connectingrod from said brake-lever to said arm; pivoted foot-rests at each side of said platform; a slidable link on said connectingrod; a stop therefor; a connection from said link to said foot-rests; and a spring connected to said platform, and to said brake, all coacting for the purpose specified.

8. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member having upwardly-projecting perforated ears secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having downwardly-projecting perforated ears secured to the platform; a pivotrod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardly-projecting arm on said pivot-rod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever; aconnecting-rod from said brake-lever to said arm; pivoted foot-rests at each side of said platform; a slidable link on said connecting-rod; astop therefor; a connection from said slidable link to said foot-rests, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member having upwardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having doWnWardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the platform; a pivot-rod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardlyprojecting arm on the said pivot-rod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brakelever; a connecting-rod from said brake-lever to said arm; and pivoted foot-rests at each side of said platform and connections from said foot-rests to said connecting-rod, for the purpose specified.

10. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; abolster member having upwardlyprojecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having do\vnWardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the platform; a pivot-rod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rearwardlyprojecting arm on the said pivot-rod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brakelever; a connecting-rod from said brake-lever to said arm; and a spring connected to said platform, and to said brake, for the purpose specified.

11. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member having upwardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having do\vn\vardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the platform; a pivot-rod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rear\vardly. projecting arm on said pivot-rod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; a brake-lever; and a connecting-rod from said brake-lever to said arm, for the purpose specified.

12. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a bolster member having upWardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the rear bob; an opposite member having doWnwardly-projecting perforated ears rigidly secured to the platform; a pivot-rod therefor; a brake pivotally supported on said rear bob; a rcarwardly-projecting arm on said pivot-rod; a link connecting said arm to said brake; pivoted foot-rests at each side of said platform; connections from said foot-rests to said arm, for the purpose specified.

18. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a pivoted brake; a brake-lever; a brake-rod connecting said brake-lever to said brake; foot-rests arranged along the side of said platform and pivotally secured thereto; and connections from said foot-rests to said brake-arm, for the purpose specified.

14:. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a platform; front and rear bobs; a pivoted brake; pivoted foot-rests arranged along the side of said platform, and connections from said footrests to said brake, for the purpose specified.

15. In combination with the top board of hand-bobs, the side foot-rests consisting of a strip each side, cleats pivoting said'strips to the under side of the top board, and stops on 5 the under side of said board in position to be contacted by one of the cleats When the strips are swung out for use, substantially as set forth.

16. In a coasting-sled, the combination of a I platform; front and rear bobs; foot-rests consisting of strips arranged along the sides of. said platform, pivotally supported thereon, and a suitable stop to limit the forward movement thereof, for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set-my 5 hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. KIDDER. [L. s.] VVitnesses:

ETHEL A. TELLER, OTIS A. EARL. 

